Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

"Where is Hellboy? I need to talk to him." Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly. He wasn't surprised by the city guard's answer. What real core secrets could a lowly gatekeeper know? He could only know some rumors he'd heard from others.

Zhou Qingfeng was particularly concerned about the swordsman with several knives at his waist mentioned by the city guards, because Ye Tingxiu liked this kind of attire and it was very distinctive. If it wasn't a coincidence that they were wearing the same clothes, then he had probably been to Raven Castle before.

Therefore, meeting Hellboy in Ravencastle becomes very necessary. Perhaps we can get some information from Hellboy that will help us find Ye Tingxiu as soon as possible. Ideally, we could also bring that idiot Ye Tingxiu back to the Sword Tower along the way.

Upon hearing this, the armored guards said warily, "Go away, go away. We barons don't receive outsiders. Don't ask around here. You don't seem like outsiders. You're more like spies sent by the enemy. This is my last warning. If you don't leave, I'll call for help."

Jin Wei quickly stepped forward, blocking Zhou Qingfeng's path, and said with a smile, "Sir, it's all a misunderstanding. We won't pry any further. We'll leave now."

The armored guards were not highly skilled, only low-level soldiers, but this was a military castle.

There are hundreds or even thousands of soldiers stationed in the castle; disturbing one would be like stirring up a hornet's nest.

If you dare to act arrogantly, people will really dare to kill you. Once you're considered an enemy, no one cares who you are or listens to your explanations.

They were likely regarded as invading enemies, and large groups of troops swarmed out to kill them.

Even if you're lucky, you'll still get a severe beating from the army and be thrown into a dungeon without any explanation.

Even if they try to get revenge later, they'll inevitably suffer some consequences.

Zhou Qingfeng was a man who was good at assessing the situation. He decisively turned around and left without lingering or revealing his identity in public. This was because he was not in the territory of the Sword Tower and was outside the territory. If his identity were exposed, he would inevitably get into trouble. His pursuers, such as Qiu Chenghu, might also come after him.

One should always be humble, otherwise one might die without even knowing how.

Jin Wei bowed and apologized profusely, then quickly followed Zhou Qingfeng away from Crow Castle.

Upon seeing this, the two armored guards put away their weapons.

Jin Wei followed closely, asking in a low voice, "Young Master, are we just leaving like this?"

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "A tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives. Why get stuck on this? Since the front door is blocked, let's go through the back door. These kinds of castles usually have secret escape routes, but they are hidden very well, and we may not be able to find them."

As soon as the words were spoken, a wisp of pink, fragrant mist descended, forming the sentence: [Northeast direction, a well in a deserted village, leading directly to the Baron's mansion]

"Look, this has found us a way." Zhou Qingfeng's lips curled up slightly as he led Jin Wei quickly towards the northeast. They sped all the way to a dilapidated, deserted village. Looking around, they could not find any trace of Xiao Hongyun.

"Go and see if there are any survivors in the village." Zhou Qingfeng walked to the well and waited quietly.

Jin Wei quickly inspected the deserted village and returned to report with his hands clasped: "This village has long been abandoned and there are no living people, but we found several skeletons. It is likely a tragedy caused by war, famine, or demons. The people either died or fled."

"Let's go." Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly, grabbed the well opening, and jumped down into the dark well. Jin Wei followed closely behind.

The two landed on the water one after the other, seemingly standing on the water, but in reality, they were standing on the void thanks to their fleshy bodies.

Zhou Qingfeng summoned the Fighting Ape, blazing with fury, from his palm, illuminating the underground world. After observing for a moment, he found no exit, so the exit must be in the underground water. Without hesitation, Zhou Qingfeng led Jin Wei directly into the water and sped towards the other side.

Soon after, the two emerged from the water and found a well above them. They silently flew to the well and looked out. They saw a back garden outside, where Hellboy, dressed in a magnificent black robe, was having a secret meeting with a military representative sent by the Privy Council of the Sword Tower.

The military representative from Jianta tapped the stone table: "Cai Guozhong, I'm warning you, we can't support you indefinitely. This year, send your troops to wipe out the rebels and the Northern Alliance and completely occupy the unclaimed land. This is our final ultimatum."

Hellboy shrugged: "Don't keep urging us to fight. I know you're all anxious, but don't rush me. If I can win, I will definitely send troops to fight. But as you know, the Northern Allied Forces have 50,000 troops stationed on the border, and the local resistance forces are constantly harassing and robbing supply lines."

"I need to recruit soldiers, reorganize the new army, and train them in formation. All of this takes time. If you really can't wait, you can send an elite field army to support me. I guarantee that as soon as the support arrives, I guarantee that we will completely occupy the unclaimed land within this year."

Upon hearing this, the military representative from Sword Tower flatly refused: "Impossible..."

Halfway through his sentence, the military representative from Jianta immediately glanced sharply in the direction of the well, then said coldly, "Cai Guozhong, you have a guest. Our conversation ends here today, but I warn you, don't be stubborn. You are not irreplaceable!"

Zhou Qingfeng leaped into the air, bringing Jin Wei with him as he made his entrance; there was no point in hiding anything.

When the military representative from Sword Tower saw Zhou Qingfeng, he was wearing a human skin mask and could not see through Zhou Qingfeng's true identity. However, he keenly observed the Xiuyan jade snake bracelet on Zhou Qingfeng's wrist and the holy ring on his thumb, and immediately knew that the person was the Fourth Young Master.

Considering that the four young masters must have other motives for hiding their identities, the military representative of Sword Tower did not reveal their identities.

Instead, as he left with two attendants, he subtly nodded to Zhou Qingfeng to show his respect.

Hellboy Cai Guozhong turned his head to look in the direction of the well, his eyes smiling: "Friend, your way of visiting is quite unique."

Zhou Qingfeng released his magic power, shaking his clothes to remove all the water, and slowly walked over: "Lord doesn't seem to be panicked."

Cai Guozhong's lips curled slightly as he pointed to his head: "A little thought is all it takes to see that you're not simple. Otherwise, I wouldn't have needed to lift a finger. Just now, you overheard my conversation with that person, and you were already contemplating your own death. The fact that you're still alive proves that you're someone important, my friend."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled slightly: "I've always heard people say that you're ambitious but incompetent and a good-for-nothing. It seems that the rumors are wrong."

Cai Guozhong chuckled lightly, offering no explanation. With a flick of his sleeve, a wine cup and a wine pot appeared on the stone table. He picked up the wine pot, poured a cup of wine, and said, "Would you like some wine? This is a fine wine from my collection. I usually only bring it out to entertain distinguished guests. Would you like to try some?"

"No, thank you for the treat, but I won't drink." Zhou Qingfeng shook his head slightly, crossed his arms, and looked at Cai Guozhong with interest.

Upon hearing this, Cai Guozhong didn't take it to heart. He poured himself a drink and said with a smile, "Tell me, who is this distinguished guest, and what brings you here to see me?"